Event

Forgotten Chicago Noble Street Walking Tour

Join us as we explore the transformations of Chicago's West Town area and the rapidly changing intersection of Division, Milwaukee and Ashland on our walking tour of Noble Street and environs. This once-bustling mercantile and residential corridor has been substantially altered from the days it served as Polish Chicago's original main thoroughfare, including a vast and enormously disruptive urban renewal project that opened in 1968. Additionally, we will explore other remnants of the area, including the former Lewis Hotel, and the one-time Snappy Service System 5 Cent Hamburger stand, a long-forgotten restaurant that was suddenly and surprisingly revealed in March 2013.

Participants on our tour will have the opportunity to see first-hand how diverse phenomena such as the Progressive Movement, the construction of the Kennedy Expressway, and changing demographics seriously impacted the built environment of the neighborhoods anchored by Noble Street. We look forward to sharing some of our research finds about the area, as well as the usual curiosities and oddities that are hallmarks of Forgotten Chicago tours.

Tour Details:

When? Sunday August 17 at Noon. Rain or shine.

Where? The tour will meet and begin above the North/Clybourn Red Line station (SE corner of North/Clybourn). It will conclude at the Grand Blue Line station (Grand/Halsted/Milwaukee).

How Long? The tour will consist of about 3 1/2 miles of walking and will last approximately 2 1/2 hours.

How much? $15. Advance purchase is required. No walk-ups. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. If severe weather cancels the tour, credit will be issued for use on a tour of equal value.